Laserfiche WebLink
Revision <br />February 1982 <br />recreation, and a small amount of urban development. Limited transporta- <br />tion, housing, and service facilities exist in the valley, and development <br />potential is limited because of limited land surface. In addition, the <br />Gunnison National Forest encompasses much of the mountainous region <br />southeast of the valley. <br />The Hawk's Nest Mine is in the least developed position of the valley, <br />the narrow winding eastern end. The major developments in the area are <br />other operating coal mines and projects such as ARCO's Mt. Gunnison Project <br />and Sunflower Energy Corporation's Blue Ribbon Mine. Other federal coal <br />lease holders include U.S. Steel, Empire Energy, and Gulf Mineral Corpora- <br />tion. Nevertheless, much of the area retains a predominantly natural and <br />scenic character. <br />The Western Slope Carbon, Inc. permit area has been primarily used for <br />livestock grazing (BLM grazing allotment No. 4517), and wildlife habitat. <br />This land use will remain the same during post-mining (Exhibit 2.04.3-A; <br />Appendix l(XXII). Transportation systems in the area include State Highway <br />133 which runs along the north side of the North Fork Gunnison River <br />paralleled by a branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad <br />(D&RGW). <br />The BLM land within the permit area is part of the Coal Gulch grazing <br />allotment (No. 4517). Sheep are grazed on this allotment on a rotational <br />basis from 1 May to 5 August and 23 October to 13 November with two of the <br />three pastures used each spring supporting two bands of sheep at one time <br />(Bureau of Land Management, personnel communication). The total animal <br />2.04-2~ <br />